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What Would You Do with a Sealed, 1st Press Miles Davis "Kind of Blue"?

This LP is still sealed in the original clear plastic inner sleeve (just one tiny 1/8" circular spot of mold on one track).  The LP cover has clearly seen shelf life making it say VG.   I am curious about what would you do please?  Open and play or sell to buy other records or?  All thoughts and suggestions are much appreciated - thank you 😉
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bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,510 posts
 

Columbia Records in the early-60’s had an inner sleeve of very soft, very thin, limp plastic. It was a bag rounded on one side (following the curve of the LP), and perforated on the opposite. One had to rip open the bag liner along the perforation to unseal the LP.

I know this because my mother’s Ring Of Fire: The Best Of Johnny Cash LP was exactly so. I assume the outer cover was also shrink wrap sealed when it left the factory, so the OP’s LP is in one sense still sealed, the other way opened.

tablejockey
3,804 posts
 
bpd24 is correct on inner sleeve. I’m confusing record lables!

It’s that flimsy film type.

As far as what to do with it...Unless you're not into MD, open it up an enjoy it. 
What's the point in owning any material thing, and not enjoy it.

I'm always on the lookout for a good period mono.
One of these days.

vinylfun's avatar
vinylfun OP
31 posts
 
Had time to further confirm this is a first press, mono, from all the following together:

- LP labels are the Iconic red and black 'six eye' Columbia label and "CL 1355."
- Matrices run-outs are stamped "XLP47324-1D" (side 1) and "XLP47325-1AD" (side 2).
- LP label, side 2 lists tracks as "All Blues" then "Flamenco Sketches."
- LP is in a limp, clear plastic inner sleeve, rounded on three sides, plus one side straight.
- LP cover, back, has Cannonball Adderley's name misspelt as "Adderly."
- LP cover, back, lists "Flamenco Sketches" then "All Blues (so opposite order of the label).

There may be other tell signs for a first press, so thank you in advance.
tablejockey
3,804 posts
 
You at least have an early period press.

I would invite a few friends over who can truly appreciate it, and listen to a piece of history. Ask them to bring over a few bottles of a 59 Bordeaux.

That’s what it’s all about.
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,510 posts
 
Whether to keep, open, and listen, or to sell? Well, how much do you like Miles? One thing to know is that the LP was long available only mastered at the wrong speed! That speed inaccuracy changed the pitch and tempos of the music, of course. The mistake was not discovered and corrected until Classic Records reissued the album in the 90's, I believe.
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